Blueberry | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Blueberries are small, round edible berries of the genus Vaccinium, consumed fresh, frozen, dried, or processed into juices, jams, and functional food products. They are valued for their high content of anthocyanin pigments, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fibre.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Blueberries are considered safe for the general population with no established ADI and no bans or restrictions in any major regulatory jurisdiction. Epidemiological and clinical evidence associates regular consumption with reduced cardiovascular disease risk, improved glycaemic control, and neuroprotective effects driven primarily by anthocyanins. Individuals with a predisposition to calcium-oxalate kidney stones should exercise caution due to the moderate oxalate content, and those on anticoagulant therapy (e.g., warfarin) should monitor intake given the vitamin K content and mild antiplatelet activity.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Blueberries are approved for sale as a whole food under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; no special conditions or maximum intake levels apply.source
Health Canada (Canada)	Approved	Blueberries are recognized as a safe whole food under the Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870); Canada is a major producer of wild lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) with no intake restrictions.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Blueberries are classified as a conventional food within the EU; no specific maximum intake or food-additive authorisation is required for whole fruit or juice. Health claims on blueberry products require EFSA authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Fruits including blueberries are regulated under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.3 – Fruit & Vegetable Products; permitted for sale as fresh, frozen, or processed fruit. Blueberry extracts used in nutraceuticals require prior FSSAI approval for specific health benefit claims per the 2016 Nutraceuticals Regulations.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Kidney Disease — Blueberries contain moderate levels of oxalates, which may contribute to calcium-oxalate kidney stone formation in individuals with impaired renal function or a history of oxalate nephrolithiasis.

Other — Individuals on anticoagulant therapy (e.g., warfarin) should consult their physician, as blueberries contain vitamin K and possess mild antiplatelet properties that may influence INR stability; consistent moderate intake is generally preferred over large variable doses.

Ibs — Blueberries contain fructose and sorbitol classified as FODMAPs; high intake may trigger bloating, cramping, or altered bowel habits in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome following a low-FODMAP diet.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. CFR Title 21 Part 145.120 – Canned Blueberries. accessdata.fda.gov
2PubMed. The state of the science on the health benefits of blueberries: a perspective, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. The Effects of Blueberry Phytochemicals on Cell Models of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Health promoting properties of blueberries: a review, 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 – Chapter 2.3: Fruit & Vegetable Products, 2011. fssai.gov.in

Independently researched6 citations